RAB says it is continuing intelligence activities, monitoring ‘underworld’

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has been continuing to monitor the criminal activities of the “underworld,” says Wing Commander MZM Intekhab Chowdhury, director of RAB's legal and media wing.

In response to a question on the matter, he said: "The intelligence efforts of RAB and the monitoring of the entire country through 15 battalions is ongoing,”

At a press briefing on Tuesday, the RAB director said: "We are continuing our regular activities against violence. We’ll take legal action against any untoward efforts we come across.”

The elite force has intensified its intelligence surveillance across the country, he said at the press briefing organised to share news about RAB’s recent programmes and the security measures taken for the upcoming Eid.

He said that RAB's control room, mobile patrol, camps, observation posts, checkposts and CCTV monitoring will be used to ensure security during the Eid holidays.

The RAB spokesman said, "We have yet to find any specific information about any kind of sabotage after analysing intelligence information, cyber monitoring and other sources. Even then, this force is always ready to prevent any kind of sabotage through increased intelligence surveillance and cyber surveillance."

He said that necessary arrangements, including mobile courts, will be taken to prevent eve-teasing or harassment of women who attend various events and visit important places during Eid. "Anyone who is victimised by any kind of harassment must inform on duty RAB members, and we will strictly crack down on those involved."

To ensure the safe journey of Eid holidaymakers, security arrangements have been taken on roads, waterways and railways. He also said that control rooms and watchtowers will be set up at terminals to ensure safe travel for people heading home.

"Surveillance and patrolling have been strengthened to prevent charging of excess fares, extortion, and mugging. If any irregularities are found, legal action will be taken through mobile courts."

The RAB official noted that different measures had been taken to prevent the sale of Eid journey tickets on the black market.

Larger Eidgahs will have sweeping security services and CCTV coverage, he said. Patrols will be conducted to curb extortion on trucks carrying sacrificial animals. The RAB cyber monitoring cell is monitoring the online sale of sacrificial animals.

The RAB official said that some syndicates could be active in the trading of rawhid during Eid-ul-Azha.

"Necessary action will be taken against such misdeeds."

Highlighting RAB’s initiatives to ensure security at shopping malls, he said: "(We’re working to ensure) that people can return home safely after shopping in a festive environment. There will be monitoring and patrols at residences, workplaces, shopping malls and other places during the Eid holidays.”

The RAB official expressed hope that Eid would be celebrated in a festive environment “like the past”, adding that activities will be continued to prevent counterfeit money printing and supply.

Meanwhile, RAB-4 commander Lt Col Md Mahbub Alam said at a press briefing on Tuesday regarding security arrangements at the sacrificial animal market in Gabtoli: "Maximum precautions and security measures have been taken to strengthen the security at Gabtoli, the country's largest animal market, other animal markets, and to ensure a smooth Eid journey. RAB-4 has set up watchtowers and temporary camps at the markets under its jurisdiction, as well as temporary camps at the Benarasi Palli area of Mirpur and Paturia Jetty cattle market."

Additionally, raid teams have been deployed to the markets, intelligence surveillance has been increased, and security has been strengthened so that the public can trade sacrificial animals without facing any untoward situations, he said.

Mahbub added, "Any kind of extortion, animal transportation or taking the animals forcibly from one market to the other, or creating any obstruction on the highway, including animal markets, or any such complaint will lead to the highest legal action being taken immediately."